Director-Sustainability & Energy Management

Since 1911, City Colleges of Chicago has been connecting students from across Chicago’s neighborhoods to economic opportunity. By offering a quality education at an unprecedented value, City Colleges provides our students and alumni with a pathway to upward mobility. City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity—empowering its students to take part in building a stronger and more just city. As Illinois’ largest community college system, City Colleges is comprised of seven colleges and five satellite sites across Chicago.

Administrative and Procurement Services provides support service to CCC system-wide. Administrative and Procurement Services provides coordination, monitoring, and leadership in the areas of Facilities Maintenance and Usage, Construction and Renovation, Plant Management, Auxiliary Services, Sustainability, Capital Planning and Development, Capital Facilities Funding, Safety and Security, Procurement of Goods and Services, Minority and Women-Owned Business Utilization Program, Mail Services, and Reprographics Services and Copy Centers.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Capital Planning and Construction, the Director of Sustainability and Energy Management ensures CCC’s compliance with all sustainability and energy performance related reporting requirements and provides expertise and leadership in developing strategies and implementing initiatives that advance the District’s sustainability and energy efficiency goals. As the District’s lead resource for all sustainability initiatives, the position works closely with facility managers and engineers, administrative and academic staff, and student organizations to support City Colleges’ ongoing commitment to sustainable practices, including environmental management, energy efficient facilities, recycling, and conservation awareness. Performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

·         Develops and implements a District-wide sustainability plan. Works collaboratively with key stakeholders to identify opportunities and to develop strategies and programs for sustainability initiatives.  Researches best practices used in the public and private sector for ideas and concepts to support the District’s sustainability goals.

·         Manages the District’s contracts with utility providers (gas, water, electricity).  Conducts in-depth analysis of utility usage and energy consumption levels, researches trends in utility rates, and develops building /campus energy consumption models and baselines.  Makes recommendations for negotiating contract agreements on utility rates based on data.

·         Leads the District’s participation in utility curtailment programs, reviewing program guidelines and identifying opportunities to maximize potential utility rebates.  Confers with utility vendors and building engineers to establish energy efficiency/reduction goals and manages the energy reduction process.   

·         Researches potential grants and other funding sources and identifies opportunities for external funding for sustainable initiatives and energy incentives.  Prepares grant and funding applications in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Advancement.

·         Manages the District’s landscaping contract, ensuring contract’s scope of services includes sustainable landscape management practices and promotes a green campus environment.  Coordinates with Procurement Services in awarding of contract, monitoring vendor performance across campuses, and approving contract payments.

·         Manages the District’s waste hauling contract and recycling initiative.  Coordinates reporting with waste haulers, tracks recycled quantities for rebates and billing purposes, and works with building engineers and custodial staff on pollution prevention initiatives.

·         Manages district-wide contracts for environmental consulting services (e.g., water testing, asbestos abatement, chemical disposal, etc.).

·         Serves as project manager for capital improvement projects related to retro-commissioning of HVAC systems and equipment to improve building energy efficiency.  Manages contract’s life cycle including preparing scope of services; reviewing specifications; selection of contractors; conferring with contractors and Chief Engineers on progress; and ensuring all requirements are met.

·         Provides expertise on sustainability and energy efficiency resources to project managers responsible for new construction, commissioning, and retro-commissioning of facilities, systems, and equipment. including building automation systems.

·         Works with Chief Engineers to reduce energy usage including use of building automation systems, occupancy sensors, variable speed controls and other energy use tools.

·         Works with Academic Affairs/Student Services and student environmental groups and organizations to plan and coordinate various “green” activities and events and promote sustainable practices, such as recycling, bicycling, waste reduction, and energy monitoring, across campuses.

·         Advocates for integrating best practices in sustainability and energy use in the operations of campus facilities, incorporating green space across campuses, and including environmental stewardship goals in the District’s strategic plan.

·         Maintains records and prepares various management reports and required annual reports on sustainability initiatives, status of energy efficiency/conservation programs, recycling and waste reduction, and related sustainability and environmental issues.

·         Performs related duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To                       Executive Director-Capital Planning & Construction

Direct Supervision          None

QUALIFICATIONS

·         Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Management, Sustainability, Urban Planning, or a related field, supplemented by a minimum of four years of progressively responsible relevant experience. Master’s degree preferred.

·         Work experience with sustainability and energy management programs in a higher education or public institution setting highly desirable

·         Knowledge of sustainability issues and best practices and commitment to institutional and societal sustainability.

·         Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of facilities management, building systems, and operations within higher education or similarly complex organizations.

·         Knowledge and experience in building commissioning and retro-commissioning process.

·         Project management skills with the ability to manage retro-commissioning projects of varying scope and complexity, establish priorities, manage timelines, and achieve desired outcomes.

·         Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences.

·         Ability to work collaboratively with staff, contractors, faculty, students and other internal and external stakeholders to build partnerships.

·         Ability to travel across the District to campuses and satellite sites as required.

·         Ability and willingness to work weekends and evenings as required.

·         Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

Salary Range: $80,717 - $90,000

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

Benefits information is found at https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Benefits/

      WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire. Thank you for your interest in CCC!